Two masked climbers pulled off a breathtaking stunt on Wednesday, July 1, scaling the iconic Empire State Building in New York City to unfurl a banner carrying a plea for peace. The pair reached the top of the 103-story skyscraper around midday, raising a white sign that read, “When the power of love beats the love of power the world knows peace.”
The identities of the individuals remain unclear, but their audacious act unfolded at 12:35 p.m. ET, when they began their descent from the summit of the Manhattan landmark, according to CBS News. The New York Police Department confirmed to USA TODAY that both climbers were taken into custody shortly after. Authorities have not disclosed what charges they may face.
The Empire State Building, including its spire and antenna, stands at 1,454 feet, ranking as the fourth tallest building in New York City and the sixth tallest in the United States, per an online fact sheet. The incident, a rare breach of one of America’s most recognizable structures, has sparked widespread curiosity about the climbers’ motives and methods.
